Bar yourself from overindulgence

If shedding a few pounds is on your Things To Do list, you may want to etch "Curb Cocktail Habit" in the line just above it, since cutting back on those after-work martinis may help the weight come off.

Downing drinks at happy hour not only gives you a buzz, but it can also be a buzzkill for weight loss efforts. Because alcohol can slow down the body's fat-burning ability and potentially lead to the storage of fat at your waistline, it's a good idea to keep the number of drinks to a minimum.

Plus, any person who's been out late at night, throwing back a few and hanging out with friends, knows what always happens next: pizza. Or whatever else is available at that hour. Alcohol increases appetite, which is also not a good thing when you're trying to stick to a specific diet.